“For surely, I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

As I pondered what to write for this month’s Pastor’s Pen, I found myself led with curiosity to revisit what I wrote for my first article as your interim pastor. The first article was basically and introduction to Don and me; but the second article began addressing the time of transition the congregation was beginning to go through transition. You said goodbye to your previous pastors, welcomed me, and were engaged in the process of finding a new pastor. I read what I wrote then and felt led to share it again because circumstances are similar at this time. The congregation has changed and grown since then, so some of you will be reading this for the first time. I wrote the following for the October 2019 newsletter.

Have you ever felt disappointed over something? If not, you are one of the luckiest people in the world. Don and I were disappointed when the vacation we had planned for August 2019 had to be postponed until another year. We were planning to take two weeks and ride our motorcycles to Nova Scotia. We had money put back for the trip and we were having fun checking out websites for places we could tour. Unfortunately, when elements of my job were changed, we felt some uncertainty about the future. So, as much as we hated to do it, we felt it would be wise to postpone the trip for another year.

The Bible contains stories of many people who experienced disappointment. I think of Sarai and Hannah who were unable to bare children; Job, who lost everything as the devil tried to break his faithfulness to God; Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers; and Moses, who came down from the mountain with the tablets of God’s commandments only to find that the Israelites were worshipping a golden calf. As you can see, we’re in pretty good company when it comes to dealing with disappointment.

The reasons for our disappointments are that we set high expectations on people and circumstances. I believe those expectations are greater when it comes to the church. We expect our programs to succeed. We expect worship services and sermons to move us. We expect our pastors to have all the answers and remain with us indefinitely. We expect our church buildings to last forever. We expect everyone to be of one mind in regards to issues and scriptures. But the reality is that even though we follow the One who is perfect…the church is not perfect.

The question then is how will we deal with our disappointments? Will we say things that are hurtful and regrettable; or will we participate in dialogue that heals and builds up the church? Will we distance ourselves from those we blame for our disappointment; or will we confront in love those with whom we differ and seek understanding? Will we withhold our time, talents and resources, making it more difficult to sustain our ministries and create new ones; or will we honor our covenant to support the church? Will we be patient and committed to the church we love?

When we listen to the stories of our bible heroes, we find that they were faithful to their commitment to God; and they turned to God for help in dealing with their disappointments. They may not have always gotten the exact results they were seeking, but God provided what was needed. I took my vacation disappointment to God, which did not end with us getting to take our planned trip; but we did get a less expensive vacation trip and better yet…I was called to serve as your interim (and unknown at that time, your permanent pastor).

While the experience of disappointment is not something to be denied; neither should it take priority over our commitment to the church and to God’s call to ministry through the church. Holding on to and feeding disappointments with the church does nothing but weaken and tear her down. On the other hand, looking to God for ways to turn our disappointments into something positive will lead to success in helping to build the kingdom of God; and, that’s what it is all about…isn’t it? Let us never allow our disappointments keep us from our commitment to doing God’s will together.

And now…I want to add to this that I know you are bound together by God’s love as a family, and although transition is upon you again because of my upcoming retirement, and some of you may be feeling disappointed and anxious, I am confident that together you will navigate the challenges that come with it. Take everything to God in prayer. Communicate with one another with openness and love. And, always continue the work of Jesus. With God’s help, you’ve got this.
Blessings and Love, Pastor Twyla

A message from John Miller, Leadership Team Chairman

Greetings everyone! I am excited to update you of our progress on the process of calling a new Pastor to HCOB. Many thanks to Julie Herman for inviting our Mid-Atlantic District Executive, Doug Veal to attend our Leadership Team meeting on July 29, 2025, to explain the steps involved in the process of calling a new Pastor. Julie then called a special Leadership Team meeting on July 31, 2025, to arrive at a consensus of members to contact to serve on the Search Committee. Julie and I split the list–she contacted the women and I contacted the men on the list. The results were absolutely amazing!

Three short days later we had a Search Committee consisting of nine people (it only took the third day because we were unable to contact one of the members who was away on vacation). Those answering the call to serve on the Search Committee are: Ed Beachley, Vince Bourdeau, Amy Clipp, Jack Finniff, Nicole Forsythe, Heather Kees, Roberta Maas, Ed Plank and Eileen Smith. I am thankful and greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm and willingness to serve on the part of these nine people. We are all truly blessed to have them representing us!

The first meeting of the new Search Committee is scheduled for September 9, 2025. Doug Veal will attend. Their first task will be to complete a profile for the church, which, as Julie explained in the July Tidings, is essentially a comprehensive resume for the church  describing the make-up of our congregation, the programs and services we provide, our re- sources and financial picture and what we are looking for in a pastor. All of this progress has transpired under Julie’s leadership prior to my assuming the role of Leadership Team Chair after the re-organization meeting on August 26, 2025.

Once the church profile is completed it will be distributed to all the Districts in the Church of the Brethren. Interested pastors complete their own profiles (resumes). Profiles of pastors who might be a “fit” are referred to the Search Committee for review by the District Executive. The Search Committee will select from the prospective pastors those who they wish to interview, either in person or via zoom. If the interview goes well, a prospective pastor may be invited to a “meet and greet” on a Saturday evening, present a trial sermon on Sunday morning followed by a vote by members of the congregation on the pastor and the financial package.

I am convinced that GOD has chosen a pastor that he wants to carry on the ministry of HCoB. I pray that we have the patience to wait for GOD to reveal that pastor to us. Please pray for wisdom and discernment for the members of the search committee as they begin this task for which they have been chosen. Please respect the fact that it is crucial that prospective pastors, information and actions of the Search Committee must remain confidential.

Looking forward with anticipation to what GOD has planned for us.
John Miller
Leadership Team Chair

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NRSVUE): “For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.”

“This is the day tat the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Sooo–what have you been up to this summer? It’s been a rather laid-back summer for Don and me. All of our vacation times have been scheduled for some times between Fall and Spring. Highlights for us were attending our grandson, Owen’s, high school graduation and graduation party. I can’t believe we have a grandson going off to college later in August. He grew up too fast! We also spent a lot of time in my favorite room of our house, our  sunroom–watching the world go by in our backyard.

I have had plenty of time to reflect on things, including retirement. After 34 years–30 years of working six-days-a-week most weeks, I notice during the relaxing moments of this summer that next year I’m going to have more time–lots of time on my hands–time that I am not used to having. I wonder what I am going to do with it. I don’t want to waste it.

Some of you have asked me what my plans are after my retirement. I honestly don’t know what to fully expect yet. I’m looking forward to spending more time with Don, and having new adventures together. We want to spend time with friends. I’m looking forward to    enjoying hobbies and doing projects around the house. We are not planning world travels; but we do hope to do some traveling in the U.S. I’m not expecting to do interims; but we do expect after about a year, to settle in at HCOB and be helpers with you in the ministries here.

I have been talking to God a lot about what’s to come. I know God has more for me to do; it will just be different. As I have shared with you many times over in sermons–God calls all of us to live our faith every day. We should look for the everyday moments that could be opportunities to serve others; and then, follow through with taking that opportunity to be Jesus’ presence to those who need us. I’m expecting God to lead me to new every day opportunities…where I’m not serving in the role as pastor. But, I will always be a servant of God. This is God’s plan for all of us.

This summer will soon come to an end and things will get busier at the church again. I’m looking forward to the planning that comes for special days; and I’m looking forward to serving as your pastor as we do the work of Jesus, together.